Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dealt another blow after his departure from Liverpool, as Real Madrid have agreed a transfer for Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries. The Dutch international has undergone his medical at Los Blancos and is set to sign a four-year contract, according to Sky Sports.
Real triggered a £17.3 million release clause in Dumfries' Inter contract, with the 30-year-old now on the verge of completing his switch to Spain. This development is a bitter pill for Alexander-Arnold, who had been tipped to make the right-back position at the Bernabeu his own following his exit from the Reds last year.
Dani Carvajal had been a mainstay at right-back for Real in recent seasons, but his departure had seemingly opened the door for the former Liverpool star. However, Alexander-Arnold has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form since his arrival, and now faces even stiffer competition for his starting spot.
Real Madrid at a Crossroads
Real are in a period of transition while awaiting the appointment of a new head coach, amid an ongoing presidential race. Jose Mourinho is expected to return to the Bernabeu if Florentino Perez wins the election, with the Portuguese coach reportedly agreeing a three-year deal. He would replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after Xabi Alonso's departure.
The arrival of Dumfries casts uncertainty over Alexander-Arnold's future at the club. The 27-year-old was also left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
England Squad Omission
Notably, there are no Liverpool players in the England squad for the first time in four decades. Tuchel explained his 26-man squad: "I'm very confident in the group that we chose. Very difficult decisions and painful conversations; difficult for the players and to explain the decisions. But what we try to achieve, we tried to nominate a balanced squad. We have to leave some extraordinary talents at home."
Alexander-Arnold's struggles at Real Madrid have been evident, and with Dumfries now on board, his path to regular first-team football has become even more challenging.
